December 27, 2010

PUNXSUTAWNEY â€” The Punxsutawney Borough Police Department has its share of adversity this past year, but it also had many positive developments and programs that occurred at the same time.

Punxsutawney Borough Police Chief Tom Fedigan noted that some of the biggest accomplishments of 2010Â came when drug arrests took place during the early morining hours of Sept. 10.

â€˘ Drug arrests â€” Fedigan said that 10 local residents from the Punxsy area were arrested on drug charges by officers from his department and with help from members of the Jefferson County Drug Task Force.

December 27, 2010

BROOKVILLE â€” The Jefferson County Solid Waste Authority met Wednesday, and the possibility of constructing a new, 10-year action plan was discussed.

The catch: Deve-loping an action plan that meets the state Depar-tment of Enviro-nmental Protection standards is likely to cost upwards of $30,000.

For the cash-strapped waste authority, investing that amount of money may serve to only hasten the day when operating funds no longer exist and the countyâ€™s recycling program is forced to cease. The authority typically has an annual operating budget under $150,000.

December 27, 2010

Just as days and months pass, so do the four sports seasons in Punxsutawney. As the cold winter of basketball and wrestling brightens with the thought of spring's baseball and softball, cool spring weather becomes even warmer as summer provides even more baseball and softball.

Then, once the days again grow crisper and shorter, football, soccer and volleyball are the main feasts, as the holidays are soon to arrive.

December 27, 2010

He was born Aug. 11, 1923, in Duquesne, a son of the late John Gabor BalĂˇzs and Julia (Palagyi) BalĂˇzs.

He was married to Betty (Dupak) Ballas, who preceded him in death.

He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.

The co-owner of Blue Tavern in Walston, Mr. Ballas was also an assessor for Young Township. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoyed gardening, cooking and spending time with his grandchildren.